Abbe Rous Cornet et Cie Collioure Blanc, a mini vertical

Does it count as a vertical when you taste just two vintages of the same wine? Not sure. But I enjoyed opening two consecutive vintages of this lovely white wine from the Roussillon. It’s made by Banyuls producer Abbe Rous, and it’s largely old vine Grenache Gris and Blanc, with some Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino in the blend. Grown on schist and all barrel fermented. It’s great value too: this is currently £11.99 at Marks & Spencer, for the 2010 vintage.

Abbe Rous Cornet et Cie Collioure Blanc 2007 Roussillon, France
Still light coloured with some honeyed, toasty notes on the nose as well as wax, lanolin and pear. The palate shows lovely sweet, open peach and pear fruit with distinctive minerality and some spiciness, as well as a hint of fennel. More evolved than the 2008, as you might expect, but still with lovely tangerine freshness, ageing really well. 92/100

Abbe Rous Cornet et Cie Collioure Blanc 2008 Roussillon, France
Complex floral nose with nutty notes, as well as white peach, pear and fennel. The palate is textured, nutty, spicy and mineral with pear and peach fruit. Still very fresh with some honeyed, nutty characters and a hint of sweet oak. Attractively textured. 91/100

It may not count as a “vertical,” but it’s pretty interesting. Love Oregon Pinots…and think tasting 08 and 09 is a really worthwhile endeavor. (09 is drinkable; 08 is still looking good in the cellar.)